La Paz: A Bolivian Air Force cargo plane carrying newly printed banknotes crashed near La Paz on Friday, leaving at least 15 people dead and several injured. The incident occurred at El Alto airport, adjacent to the capital, when the plane veered off the runway and hit vehicles on a nearby highway, agencies reported.
The Hercules C-130 was on its way from Santa Cruz with currency for the Central Bank. Defense Minister Marcelo Salinas said “it landed and veered off the runway”, ending in a field where it caught fire.
Firefighters extinguished the flames, while Fire chief Pavel Tovar reported at least 15 people killed, though it was unclear if the victims were crew or those in the 15 damaged cars. Social media images showed debris, destroyed vehicles, and bodies on the road.
Gen. Sergio Lora of the Bolivian Air Force noted the plane had six crew members, with two missing late Friday.
Salinas said officials are investigating the cause, amid challenges at the high-altitude airport.
The crash scattered bills across the site, drawing hundreds of people to collect them and delaying rescue efforts, according to Tovar. Police in riot gear, over 500 soldiers, and 100 officers used tear gas to disperse the crowd and secure the area, reports said.
Central Bank President David Espinoza supervised the burning of cash boxes on-site, stating the notes “have no legal value because they never entered circulation.”
Authorities temporarily suspended all flights to and from El Alto terminal.
